Karachi: Former Pakistan skipper Imran Khan has said that wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider’s sudden exit to the United Kingdom to seek asylum was a 'shameful' incident.
Haider has sensationally quit international cricket after he fled from Dubai to London on Monday. The 24-year-old has claimed that he had received death threats from bookmakers after he refused to fix two matches of the ODI series against South Africa.
“It is really shameful the way he left the team and reached London. At the moment we don’t know the facts that compelled him to do this, but nevertheless it is another embarrassing moment for Pakistan and its people,” the Daily Times quoted Imran, as saying.
“Sadly this incident only gives credence to the feeling our players are linked with bookmakers or are controlled by them. The recent spot-fixing allegations have not been helpful at all for Pakistan cricket,” he added.
The former all-rounder also called for a 'clean up' of the country’s cricket for a positive change.
“We need to clean up the administration and the team and those players who, if they are involved in corruption, should not be spared. We need to do this since it is better than the Pakistani people facing shame and embarrassment on a daily basis because of our cricket,” Imran said.
Haider has played four ODIs and three Twenty20 internationals since making his debut in 2007.
He played his solitary Test match during the recent tour of England, which was marred by spot-fixing allegations.